‘He reads the situation before others’: India coach reveals the secret behind Virat Kohli’s brilliance in the field

Indian fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh praised the team’s acumen and commitment on the field after the win in the opening ODI against New Zealand and pointed to the fielding unit’s collective effort in restricting the hosts to 185.India started the five-match series with a five-wicket win by DLS in a rain-interrupted match at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. Ghosh felt that the team’s fielding performance, particularly their catching, fielding and overall intensity, complemented the bowlers’ efforts to keep New Zealand’s total in check.Speaking to reporters on the eve of the second ODI in Hamilton, Ghosh expressed his satisfaction with the way the players have bolstered the bowling attack with their fielding contributions.“We did well in the first ODI. We took some good catches, took wickets and backed it up with some great fielding down the ground. The intensity was very good. When you restrict the opposition to around 180, it reflects not just good pitching but quality fielding,” Ghosh said.Notable moments in the series opener included Virat Kohli’s spectacular catch and Rohit Sharma’s crisp run-out. Both senior batsmen made significant contributions in the field, with Ghosh attributing their efforts to their ability to anticipate situations and read the game quickly.Explaining Kohli’s brilliance, the fielding coach pointed to the batsman’s extensive experience in cover and spike positions, which allows him to judge the direction and movement of the ball more effectively.“I think anticipation is extremely important. The more time you spend in a particular position in the field, the better you read the game. Virat has been at cover and at point many times, so he knows the trajectory and path of the ball and how it is likely to move after impact. He reads the situation a bit earlier than others and you can see it in his execution,” he said.Ghosh also dissected Rohit’s contribution to the run-out, explaining how the Indian batter had already started moving towards square leg after anticipating where the ball was likely to fly. This early movement helped him execute the statement with precision.“As for Rohit, I think he anticipated that the ball would go towards square leg during that run-up. He didn’t move straight, he was already moving slightly towards square leg. This early anticipation allowed him to execute the skill perfectly. The more familiar you are with a particular position, the quicker you can predict what will happen. That’s the difference,” he added.The fielding coach also spoke about the difficulties players face in adapting to different playing conditions during overseas tours. Variable terrain dimensions, colder weather, and unknown boundary locations can affect a player’s position and movement in the field.According to Ghosh, understanding the dimensions of the court and making the right initial move are especially important because they help players cover more ground and reduce the angles available to opponents.“When you travel to different countries, adapting to new conditions is always a challenge. The dimensions of the ground are different, the weather can be cold, and these are aspects that we regularly discuss in the dressing room. When it comes to the dimensions of the ground, when you build in a particular position, it is important to observe the shots and understand where the boundary rope is. Your first step is crucial because it allows you to reduce the angles and constantly cover the ground more efficiently for the initial work.Ghosh further emphasized that adapting to the changing environment is an essential part of international cricket and requires players to maintain the right attitude, whether they are training or competing.“That’s part of the challenge of international cricket. You travel to different countries, you encounter different conditions and you have to adapt to it. At the end of the training sessions, it’s all about your mindset. I always stress the importance of having the right mindset, both individually and as a group,” he concluded.India will take on New Zealand in the second ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday. While the hosts will be desperate for an equalizer, India will be looking to build on their opening win and extend their lead in the series.

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